Does your lawn look a little different this July? See brown patches that weren't there just a couple of weeks ago? If you're nodding your heads, it's time to learn a few things about mole crickets.

The ravenous pests live under your lawn, have tiny little arms, and can chew your grass up in no time. Worst of all, this is the time when they do their most damage.

This species earned its name because, like the furry animal, these crickets make underground tunnels. Their front arms resemble shovels, which they use to position themselves under the roots. However, unlike actual moles, these crickets have wings and can fly long distances. You won't see much of them during the day; these nocturnal nuisances do their damage at night.

Brown patches in your yard are one sign that mole crickets are at work. Another is small mounds of dirt on the lawn. They're down there digging, and the soil has to go somewhere. This will also cause the ground to bulge a little bit. Also, take a walk on the grass; if it feels like you're walking on a sponge, it could be that mole crickets are busy detaching the blades from their roots.

Dead grass and weeds aren't the only issues with these things. While people don't like mole crickets, bigger and more destructive creatures do. Raccoons and armadillos smell the insects underground and will tear up your lawn looking for them.

The damage that mole crickets do can look a lot like several other lawn issues; there is a way to determine if you have a subterranean scourge at work. Don't laugh; it involves dish soap. Start with two gallons of water in a bucket, mix in two ounces of dishwashing soap, then pour the concoction over a section of your turf that's about four square feet. If you have mole crickets, you'll see them struggle to the surface in a few minutes.

There is a unique and natural way to get rid of these miserable mole crickets—plant flowers. Well, not any flowers. Mole crickets have a sworn enemy, the Larra Wasp. Consider these guys your flying friends in this big battle. Larra wasps don't bother people, don't build nests, and have a cool nickname, 'mole cricket hunters.' You can attract them to your yard by planting flowers like the Shrubbery False Button, Partridge Pea, or Star Flower.

Wasps are fantastic, and watching insects fight sounds even cooler, but the best way to beat mole crickets is by keeping a healthy lawn. That's where we come in. ELT Landscape crews will keep your yard looking great and a place where mole crickets will avoid. Contact us today for a free estimate.